In recent years we have seen a trend emerging in education. Free learning has been making huge waves, and the term MOOC is what is bringing about that change. MOOC’s (Massive Open Online Courses) that have launched in recent years include companies like; Khan Academy, which has brought math and science classes to the world for free; Codecademy, which offers free coding learning; and Coursera, which provides online classes from some of the world’s top universities. We have caught word of a MOOC that will launch in January called Cybrary, which provides free IT and Cyber Security training classes to the world.

So far, from what we can tell on the website, Cybrary’s training offering includes classes that prepare people for some of the more popular IT and security industry recognized certifications, such as the CompTIA A+, Security+, ECC’s Certified Ethical Hacker and the CISSP from ISC2. The site also includes advanced skill sets, which are not intended for certification, such as their Post Exploitation Hacking and Advanced Penetration Testing class.

MOOC’s Emerge as Online Education Sentiment Grows
The explosive growth of MOOC’s is showing us that the sentiment towards online education is growing more favorable. As younger generations, such as the Millennials, come of age and become a major subset of the world’s workforce, online education grows faster. These younger generations seem to be well prepared and extremely accustomed to learning online and at their own pace. Online education has been in a tremendous growth phase since 2002. Now with the success of companies like Codecademy, people are starting to realize that learning can, and maybe should be, free for everyone. This shift in the approach to learning is giving more people the opportunity to build skill sets and achieve an education that may have previously not been affordable to them. Emerging economies and even tenured professionals from the world’s largest economies all are benefiting from these winds of change in education.

As our readers know, the IT and Cyber Security industries are in many ways built around a proof of skill sets which is led by certifications. Many companies hiring practices are built around finding employees who possess these certifications because the certs validate their skill set, at least to a certain extent.

Addressing the Cyber Security Skills Gap
The skills gap in Cyber Security is perhaps the most glaring need that is addressed by this new trend of free online education. SC Magazine wrote an article discussing this challenge as not only being a current one, but one that is actually going to become far worse in coming years. Another study showed that the skills gap would grow to about 47% in 2017.

This skills gap is likely due to the lack of affordable training. Cyber Security changes so quickly, and yet training for both basic skills as well as advanced skills has traditionally been extremely expensive. Codecademy and now Cybrary seem to be directly tackling the issue of putting hard Cyber Security job skills into the hands of anyone that may want them.

The Effect of MOOC’s on Emerging Economies
It was only a matter of time until the IT and Cyber Security training industry, as well as education as a whole, took a major shift towards more social equality. Companies like Coursera, Codecademy and now Cybrary are leading the charge. Free education options are expanding, and as they grow and have success, it seems that education and technical job skill sets will no longer be reserved for those who can afford it, but rather it will be for those who are willing to work hard to achieve it.

Even with the presence of MOOC’s, there may very well still be numerous limitations to the growth of technology and innovation in the world’s emerging economies, but free online education is definitely a step in the right direction. As opposed to having to build out an internet infrastructure as well as invest heavily in an educational infrastructure, perhaps now the more important aspect to educational advancement, is simply stable access to the internet.

Time will tell how much impact these free MOOC’s will have on global problems such as the Cyber Security skills gap and the technological growth in emerging economies. It is safe to say though, free online education and training is well worth giving a try.

In the world of computing, RATs aren’t the flea infested rodents that caused the plague, but they can be just as nasty. Also known as Remote Administration Tools, RATs allow an operator to access another computer remotely, gaining control of the machine typically for malicious purposes. While there are a number of legitimate and helpful reasons for remote administration and desktop sharing, RATs usually refer to software that is being installed without the knowledge of the intended victim. Moreover, RAT software is typically designed to be installed as part of a Trojan horse, actively avoiding detection by the victim or the victim’s security software and in some cases even disabling firewalls and other security measures.

What Are Remote Administration Tools?Remote Administration Tools allow the operator to gain control of another machine remotely with the intention of using it maliciously, often without the knowledge or intervention of the targeted computer’s user. Among other capabilities, RAT operators may use the program to:

Control the webcam, microphone, speakers, and screen capture function

Control key computer functions: power on/off; log on/off

Download, execute, and upload files

Run shell commands

Modify the registry

Overclocking, which can destroy hardware

RAT Trojan HorsesRemote Administration Tools are typically installed via a Trojan horse attack, with the malicious software often being disguised as a legitimate program or bound to an otherwise innocuous program. The victim may download the legitimate looking program online or via email or some other person to person file sharing option. In some cases, a false error message may appear, giving the impression the file did not download properly and possibly leading to a false sense of security for the victim of the Trojan attack. Other RAT programs immediately disable security software, like firewalls and antivirus programs, in order to operate undetected.

Once installed, the RAT Trojan horse will allow the remote operator to:

Alter the desktop background wallpaper, and move, alter, and delete icons and files on the desktop;

Control the mouse and/or keyboard, as well as peripheries like the CD-ROM drive, which can be opened remotely via a RAT Trojan;

Display fake error messages and reformat drives;

Install software, viruses, and other malicious software;

Modify, delete, and transfer files;

Phish for passwords, credit card numbers, and other sensitive information through keystroke logging or by installing keystroke capture software;

Record video and sound by controlling the webcam or microphone;

Take on the task manager by viewing, canceling, and starting tasks; and

View the screen, print text, and play sounds.

Examples of RATsIf all of that isn’t enough to convince you of the seriousness of RATs, consider some famous RAT software:

Back Orifice: First released in 1998, BO was specifically designed for Windows computers. The program can be installed without user interaction, allowing remote access to the infected computer.

Beast Trojan: Discontinued in 2004, Beast Trojan was one of the first to use a reverse connection, which allowed the remote operator complete control of the infected machine.

Blackshades: In 2014, nearly 100 people were arrested as part of a sting operation to put an end to this malicious software that has taken over more than 500,000 computers in over 100 countries.

NetBus: Released months ahead of the Back Orifice program in 1998, NetBus was used to remotely download child pornography to the computer of a Lund University Fulbright law scholar, who consequently lost his research funding.

ProRat: It is nearly impossible to remove ProRat without the latest antivirus software. This RAT is typically installed along with another file it is “bound” to, so when the user opens an image file, for example, the malicious software is surreptitiously installed in the background.

Optix Pro: More lethal than previous releases because it was able to get past most available firewalls and antivirus programs, Optix Pro terrorized computer users worldwide before being terminated by its creator in mid-2005.

SubSeven: Still active today, the SubSeven RAT permits undetected installation and remote keystroke logging. Some argue the program is the predecessor of botnets.

Considering how lethal RATs can be and how difficult it can be to fully remove them once installed, the best defense is to be a well-informed computer user. For the most comprehensive information on Remote Administration Tools, consult our most recent RAT white paper for the latest tips on how to combat RATs.

Everyone knows that big data is being used by businesses for many things, mainly along the lines of business intelligence and marketing. However, few people know how much big data is coming into play when it comes to cyber security. There are a variety of applications for big data and cyber security, the collection of intel, social media trends and more.

There is a free webinar coming up about the use of big data for hunting hackers. You can join the webinar here:

In 2006, the Department of Defense (DoD) initiated a certification and accreditation (C&A) process for its information technology programs known as the DoD Information Assurance C&A Process (DIACAP). Only one year after implementation, DIACAP was criticized for being slow and inefficient, which could delay important projects for up to full year with no significant improvement in security.

Now, after the collaborative efforts of the DoD and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a new assessment and authorization (A&A) process has been developed with efficiency and effectiveness in mind using what is known as the risk management framework (RMF). This new process has been dubbed the DoD Information Assurance Risk Management Framework (DIARMF), and several major elements differentiate it from its predecessor.

DIARMF Nomenclature and Processes
Through DIARMF, the RMF process of NIST has been merged with current security controls already in place in federal civilian agencies. This warrants an entirely new set of processes and a new set of nomenclature to reflect the steps.

The first step in DIACAP, initiate and plan C&A, has been split into two separate parts in DIARMF. The first step is to categorize the system while the second step is to select controls. The next process remains the same in both systems: implement the controls.

The third step in DIACAP has again split into two parts for DIARMF. Making the certification determination and accreditation decision is now the two-part process of assessing controls and authorizing the system. The fourth step in DIACAP is in line with the fifth step in DIARMF, but the nomenclature has changed from maintaining authorization to monitoring controls.

DIARMF Assessment and Roles
Aside from the change in names, the actual process of DIARMF A&A is very similar to DIACAP C&A, especially at high levels. Assessment produces a checklist of results that are in compliance with the security controls, and the authorization step is an acceptance or rejection of the risk detailed in the assessment.

In addition, most of the roles in DIARMF are similar to those in DIACAP, and most changes have been made only to reflect the new RMF terminology. However, DIARMF adds one important role that is not present in DIACAP: the common control provider (CCP). The CCP is a manager who deals with inherited controls for systems such as virtualized environments, enclave networks and server clusters. For example, a small system residing in a data center operated by the DoD includes several factors that have already been authorized through the data center. These factors are labeled as inherited and do not need to be reauthorized for the particular system. However, the process of inheritance can be quite complicated, thus the need for the CCP.

Security Controls and Continuous Monitoring
Security controls in DIARMF are more specific than the controls available in DIACAP. One example of this would be passwords. In DIACAP, password policy would normally be a single control, but in DIARMF, a separate control exists for password-policy enforcement with individual controls for each element of the password, such length, characters and complexity.

In addition, requirements for continuous monitoring are stricter in DIARMF than they are in DIACAP. Each control is assigned a refresh rate, and the status at each refresh is uploaded to a federal system called CyberScope for risk analysis and management.

Anyone who is currently still using the DIACAP process should consider preparing for the switch as soon as possible because some of the changes are profound, and it can take considerable time before they become familiar.

DIACAP and DIARMF TrainingDepending on which branch of the Military or Government agency you are with, DIACAP training, now DIARMF training must be tailored to the specific function of that organization. Ce

People in the cyber security arena have been going to training for decades now. Obviously, the shape of cyber changes so frequently with new attacks and new exploits being developed daily. With these rapid changes, cyber security professionals must sharpen their skills consistently to stay up to be able to attack and defend well.

Now, that being said, the current sequester has put a great damper on cyber training in the United States, but don’t worry Congress, while you guys hash out these little details, other countries are getting further and further ahead in their cyber war capabilities, so no biggie, carry on with the bickering until you work out little differences here…

OK, sarcastic rant complete.

The cyber security education field has made strides to the point where there is a conference dedicated to it specifically. NCSI has launched their first annual Cyber Education Symposium. The event will be held in Arlington, Virginia on November 19th and 20th. The event features a lineup of cyber professionals who will be sharing cyber education plans and best practices.

The agenda can be viewed here: AgendaThe speakers lineup can be viewed here: Speakers

So those of you who read this blog for its general IT training information sharing should appreciate an event like this, because its full of whats to come in the cyber education space!

Remember that time you got a free breakfast and a morning full of free lessons on the latest in hacking? That’s the whole idea behind TrainACE’s free hacking seminar series, aptly named Hacker’s Breakfast. Having organized the events for a couple years now, TrainACE evidently likes to keep a state of variety around the seminar’s themes. For their latest installation, TrainACE has teamed up with n2grate Government Technology Solutions to focus on new mission assurance technologies and web-based security.

It looks like this event is going to feature a number of top professionals in the security industry, with experts from Blue Coat and Solera Networks ready to present on topics like web-based security and application-based security. The keynote speaker will in fact be Brian Contos, VP and CISO for the Advanced Threat Protection Group at Blue Coat Systems. We all know social networking is becoming an increasingly huge presence for companies just as much as individuals, and the Subject Matter Experts set to teach at this seminar will cover the importance of web-based security in the wake of social networking and the use of mobile devices.

Between presentations there will be time for kiosk demonstrations from industry leaders like Solera Networks, Blue Coat, Netronome, and Packet Shaper. Training seminars, product demos, networking opportunities, AND free breakfast, you say? That’s exactly right! Hacker’s Breakfast is an awesome combination event for employees in the field.

This Hacker’s Breakfast seminar is taking place July 24th at TrainACE’s Ashburn, VA location. This particular seminar is geared at but certainly not limited to government, DoD, and military employees. But you better hurry! Registration is capped at 70 participants!

As readers of this blog already know, formal certifications have become increasingly important to organizations in the public and private sectors. That trend has been clearly evident in the field of project management as that profession has evolved, rapidly, with employers insisting that project managers equip themselves with appropriate professional credentials. In that context, the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, administered by the Project Management Institute (PMI), is the best known and most widely accepted credential in the PM field. PMP certification, according to PMI research published in the most recent edition of the PMI Project Management Salary Survey, is “globally recognized and demanded”.

PMP Pre-Requisites
Candidates for the PMP certification must meet several requirements. Those with bachelor’s or equivalent degrees must have three years of experience, with 4,500 hours devoted to “leading and directing” a project. Those with high school or equivalent diplomas must have five years of experience that includes 7,500 hours of project leadership. In both cases, candidates must have 35 hours of formal education.

Once those requirements are satisfied, candidates are allowed to sit for a four-hour computer-based test consisting of 200 questions. Content for the examination is drawn from the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) Guide published by PMI, covering five discrete areas: project initiation, project planning, project execution, project monitoring and control, and project closing.

The test gives each subject a different weight, with some 79 percent of the 200 questions covering the areas of planning, execution, and monitoring and control. Project initiation and closing account for only 21 percent of the test questions.

The educational component of the PMP qualification process can only be satisfied by coursework offered by approved providers. Designated coursework offered by PMI chapters is approved. Other coursework, offered by employers, training schools, colleges and distance-learning providers (like us) also serve to satisfy the educational requirement.

Online Training for the PMP Certification is Increasingly Convenient
For those considering their educational options, the availability of online education can make the process significantly more manageable. Online training is recognized to the same extent as education offered in a physical classroom, and it offers a number of important benefits.

The vast majority of people considering the PMP certification are working professionals and active project managers. The PMP certification is a major exam that requires a great deal of preparation and most of these candidates have a very maxed out work life in addition to perhaps family at home. The online training option makes preparing for the PMP, that much more accomodating.

Candidates can satisfy the educational requirement without having to travel to distant locations. The online option can provide significant savings of time and money, and it makes it easy for candidates to access the mandatory coursework. Internet-based coursework can also make it easy for students to review complicated material, to brush up on topic areas and to refresh subject matter in anticipation of the PMP examination, all at their own convenience and their own speed.

Even if a local venue is available, some candidates may have scheduling issues that interfere with attendance. For others, the practical benefits of the online option may not be terribly important. Those candidates may select the online PMP training experience as a simple matter of personal preference. Regardless of the reason, the availability of accredited online options is a real benefit to PMP candidates.